DETROIT — Claressa Shields wants her next fight to be her biggest one.And she wants it to be on the biggest stage yet.Representatives for Shields, the undisputed “GWOAT” of boxing who remains undefeated as a professional, have had recent negotiations to stage her next bout at downtown Detroit’s Ford Field. Shields would be the first female boxer ever to headline a stadium card in the United States. Promoters believe the fight could draw 50,000 fans.”We just feel like it’s the right time to make history again, to break another glass ceiling,” Dmitriy Salita, of Salita Promotions, told The Detroit News on Thursday. “We would love for this milestone to happen in Detroit, as well.”Salita, Shields’ longtime promoter and a Southfield resident, told The News that he had discussions with Ford Field representatives earlier this week, and described the talks as “great.” Salita said there still is plenty to be finalized, including an opponent and a television or streaming network.But he already has a date in mind: Saturday, Feb. 6. That’s the week before the Super Bowl.Four of Shields’ last six fights have been in downtown Detroit, at Little Caesars Arena, where she’s drawn good crowds. Her last fight was in Atlanta on Aug. 15, when she knocked out Kaye Scott at a nearly sold-out State Farm Arena to improve to 19-0 as a professional.Her last fight in Detroit was Feb. 22 at LCA, where she beat Franchon Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision in the first fight that was part of her historic $8-million contract.Salita is branding Shields’ next fight as a “super fight,” and while an opponent hasn’t yet been finalized, among those under consideration are Chantelle Cameron (22-1) and Lauren Price (10-0), both of the United Kingdom, and Cris Cyborg (30-2), of Brazil.”There’s some other significant names that we’re working on, but I’m not at liberty to say,” Salita said. “Obviously, there are some great, significant fighters from around the world.”Salita said he hopes to finalize a February fight at Ford Field by sometime in early November to “make sure it gets the visibility, and that women’s sports grows as a result of it.” Shields has drawn more than 10,000 fans multiple times for fights in Michigan, and she drew about 20,000 fans when she headlined a fight at The O2 Arena in London in 2022, when she beat Savannah Marshall by unanimous decision.Shields, 31, is a Flint native, a two-time Olympic gold-medalist and a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.tpaul@detroitnews.com@tonypaul1984This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: ‘GWOAT’ Claressa Shields eyes ‘super fight’ at Ford Field in 2027
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